Chrome Update: Permanent Safety Checks, Syncing Tab Groups, and Rolling Out Memory Info

Google has officially announced an exciting wave of fresh features for Chrome Stable users, set to be rolled out over the coming week. This update focuses on three core enhancements: permanent Safety Checks, the ability to sync Tab Groups, and providing tab memory usage information.

Although these features were previewed earlier, the latest release of Chrome 120 in December 2023 has brought them to the forefront. The proactive Safety Checks, in particular, were highlighted in the release notes.

Proactive Safety Checks: Your Security Companion

The proactive Safety Checks offer vital security enhancements for Chrome users. Previously, users needed to manually initiate the Safety Check via Settings > Privacy and Security > Safety Check. This process verified password security, flagged potentially dangerous extensions, and ensured the browser was up-to-date.

With the new update, Chrome will automatically perform these checks periodically. Any issues identified will be prominently displayed in the main browser menu, making security management a breeze. Google elaborates: “Safety Check for Chrome on desktop will now run automatically in the background. You’ll receive alerts if any saved passwords have been compromised, if any extensions pose risks, if you haven’t updated to the latest version of Chrome, or if there are site permissions needing your review.”Alerts will conveniently appear within the three-dot menu, directing users to necessary actions.

The updated Safety Check will also review permissions granted to sites that have not been accessed recently. Although the exact frequency of these checks remains unspecified, users will have the ability to revoke permissions for features like location access and notifications.

Notably, the button previously known as “check now”will transition to “Go to Safety Check,”which leads to a dedicated page at chrome://settings/safetyCheck, summarizing past scan results and their implications.

One caveat, however, is the still-unclear specifics regarding user privacy—specifically how often these checks occur and the information relayed back to Google. Currently, there is no option to disable this feature.

Tab Memory Usage Information: Optimize Your Experience

In an effort to enhance user experience, hovering over a tab in Chrome will now yield not only a thumbnail of the website but also its respective memory usage stats. This feature is a boon for performance-conscious users and can be enabled right now in Chrome Stable or will automatically appear in the near future as part of the update.

Google mentions the Memory Saver feature, which is designed to clear RAM from inactive tabs to boost overall performance. Users can activate this option through Settings > Performance or directly by navigating to chrome://settings/performance.

Additionally, users can designate specific websites to remain active, preventing Chrome from entering sleep mode to extend performance capabilities.

Syncing Tab Groups: Seamlessness Across Devices

Tab Groups are a standout feature within Chrome, allowing users to categorize multiple sites into manageable groups that can be collapsed or expanded on the tab bar, improving organization and accessibility.

The upcoming update introduces a “save group”option in the Tab Groups menu, enabling users to sync their Tab Groups across different devices. To leverage this functionality, users must be signed into Chrome and have synchronization enabled in their settings.

We want to hear from you! How do you feel about these exciting updates?

Additional Insights

1. How do the Proactive Safety Checks work in Google Chrome?

Proactive Safety Checks automatically run in the background, alerting you about compromised passwords, risky extensions, out-of-date browser versions, and permissions for sites you haven’t visited in a while.

2. Can I disable the auto Safety Checks?

Currently, there is no option to turn off the Safety Check feature, which means it will automatically perform checks at regular intervals as part of its functionality.

3. What are Tab Groups, and how can I sync them?

Tab Groups allow users to organize multiple sites into collapsible groups. With the new update, you can save these groups and sync them across devices, provided you’re signed into Chrome and synchronization is enabled in your settings.

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